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Performance

Hunter Class Sa Performance

How the Hunter Class Sa performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Hunter Class Sa is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

5.8 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 19.0′, the Hunter Class Sa tops out around 5.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √19.0′ LWL = 5.8 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

SA / Displacement
16.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
39.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
182
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
5.8kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Hunter Class Sa sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Buccaneer 220 228s/nm
Cal 22 246s/nm
Seaward 22 287s/nm

Estimated Speed by Wind

Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.

Point of Sail 6 kts TWS 10 kts TWS 15 kts TWS 20 kts TWS
Close-hauled40–50° 2.3 2.9 3.3 3.4
Close Reach60° 2.8 3.5 3.9 4.1
Beam Reach90° 3.4 4.3 4.8 5.2
Broad Reach120–135° 3.2 4.0 4.5 4.8
Run150–180° 2.5 3.2 3.6 3.7
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.8 kts), SA/D (16.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current. Speeds in gold approach hull speed; bold gold means near or at hull speed.

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Hunter Class Sa — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts 7–20 kts 20–28 kts 28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Hunter Class Sa.

Hunter Class Sa Buccaneer 220 Cal 22 S2 69 Seaward 22 Venture 222
Dimensions
LOA 22.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 22.0
LWL 19.0 19.3 19.5 18.8 20.6 18.2
Beam 8.0 7.9 7.8 8.0 8.3 7.3
Displacement 2 2 2 2 2 2
Ballast 1 950 775 770 750 500
Sail Area 210 202 223 228 — 177
Performance
PHRF — 228 246 — 287 —
SA/Disp 16.9 17.8 21.8 21.6 — 17.9
Bal/Disp 39.3 38.8 36.9 35.0 34.1 —
Comfort — 12.0 10.5 10.8 — 11.3
Capsize — 2.35 2.42 2.46 — 2.33
Hull Speed — 5.9 5.9 5.8 — 5.7